British journal of anaesthesia
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The STOP-BANG questionnaire screens for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in surgical patients. In prior research, the association of STOP-BANG scores with comorbidities and outcomes was inconsistent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of the STOP-BANG score. ⋯ The STOP-BANG questionnaire has modest construct validity but did not predict postoperative mortality, hospital length-of-stay, or cardiac complications.
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The perioperative management of antiplatelet therapy in noncardiac surgery patients who have undergone previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains a dilemma. Continuing dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) may carry a risk of bleeding, while stopping antiplatelet therapy may increase the risk of perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). ⋯ OBTAIN showed an increased risk of bleeding with DAPT and found no evidence for protective effects of DAPT from perioperative MACE in patients who have undergone previous PCI.
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Review
Challenging authority and speaking up in the operating room environment: a narrative synthesis.
Multidisciplinary care teams exist throughout healthcare systems. In the operating room (OR), effective communication between teams is essential, especially during crisis situations where patient safety can be in acute danger. An often-neglected skillset in educational curriculums is challenging authority. ⋯ Hierarchy, organisational culture and education are the most frequently observed and tested themes. Simulation research has been successful in eliciting and confirming the role of specific barriers to speaking up. Barriers and enablers are largely modifiable within institutions however, education regarding the importance of speaking up will need to accompany these modifications for any significant changes to occur.
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Children comprise a large proportion of the population in sub-Saharan Africa. The burden of paediatric surgical disease exceeds available resources in Africa, potentially increasing morbidity and mortality. There are few prospective paediatric perioperative outcomes studies, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). ⋯ NCT03367832.
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Etomidate is frequently selected over propofol for induction of anaesthesia because of a putatively favourable haemodynamic profile, but data confirming this perception are limited. ⋯ Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12614000717651.